안녕, It's Koreanstudyjunkie.
There are a few ways you can say goodbye in Korean, but the one you probably here a lot are these 2:
안녕히 가세요 = Bye (literal translation: go well)
안녕히 계세요 = Bye (literal translation: stay well)
Let’s break them down a bit:
안녕히 Is an adverb that means “well”
가다 Is a verb that means “to go”
계시다 Is an honorific verb that means “to be”
(으)세요 Is a grammar structure that is used to make polite commands and overall just add a layer of politeness to one’s sentence. It can be translated as “Please do…” or “Please [insert verb]..”
Check out this lesson to learn more about (으)세요
Now when we put them all together
안녕히 가세요 ⇒ Bye (literal translation: please go well)
This phrase is used when you are staying and the other person is going.
안녕히 계세요 ⇒ Bye (literal translation: please stay well)
This phrase is used when you are leaving the other person and they are staying behind.
These phrases are formal ways to say goodbye, but what about when you want to say goodbye to your friends?
잘 가요 = Bye (literal translation: go well)
잘 가 = Bye > Informal form
As you can see this phrase is also the same as the last one, but with more casual words.
잘 ⇒ Well
가다 ⇒ To go (plain, unconjugated form)
가요 = I go, one goes (casual present tense conjugation)
Interested in how to conjugate Korean verbs like this, I have a lesson on it HERE
If it’s late at night when you are parting with your friends, use this line instead:
잘 자요 ⇒ Sleep well
잘 자 ⇒ Sleep well (informal form)
자다 - to sleep
You can always go back to the classic as well:
안녕 ⇒ Bye (can be hello and goodbye)
If you are using this form make sure it’s with your friends
The previous lesson I made is about:
Click to read: The difference between 안녕하세요 and 여보세요?